The endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) procedure involves thermal ablation of a varicose vein using laser energy delivered through a tiny laser fiber within a targeted vein segment. Unlike vein stripping, the EVLA procedure permanently shrinks and collapses the abnormal vein, thereby leaving it in place without surgically removing the vein. Local anesthesia is used during an EVLA procedure to keep the patient from feeling any pain or discomfort during the laser portion of the procedure. EVLA represents an FDA-cleared minimally-invasive technique to treat symptomatic varicose veins with excellent clinical and aesthetic results. Complications are minimal in the hands of an experienced Vein Specialist.